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So I used to use a standard plastic helmet for SM. I was recently issued a nice ops core carbon fiber helmet for jumping/rappelling. With its vented top and built in rails I taught it would make a great SM HELMET. The problem is I have no idea the long term effects of submerging carbon fiber. Any ideas??
Thanks guys dive safe
No problem, the carbon fibers are encased in plastic.Quote:
Originally Posted by adam0321
Great helmet! The only issue I could see is if the outer shell got scratched through exposing the carbon fiber.
There is a lot of carbon fiber stuff designed to be in, or near water, and I have never heard of fishing poles, paddles, etc, being hurt by scratches exposed to water.
Having been in the composite industry there is issues to consider. The fibers should not be affected in the short term by being submerged but after a long time there is going to be deterioration where scratches occur. The big question is whether the cost is really worth it? we are not talking about high speed impacts. The helmets used for diving do not need the protection level. but like anything else if you have the money and want the cool oooooh Ahhh factor go for it. We used to put CF and Kevlar in our racing airplanes just to get people talking. Shuuush it's a speed secret.
Can you loose your and get issued a second one for me.....over $300 wow.......
Firefighter air tanks are carbon fiber (wound over aluminum core). And we expose our tanks to @##%$ that's A LOT worse than sea water.
The biggest issue is how well the product was made and how long it is submersed (pressure might even come into play). If no fibers are exposed and the fiber material is impregnated properly the there should be any problem. If you drill a hole or in any way expose a fiber and there is any defect (air pockets) in the material then I could see water being forced in under pressure. This might cause delamination upon returning to the surface.
The biggest issues with water and composites I have seen are with kevlar or, of course, fiberglass so the above is just a guess.
Adam, can you send some link to mentioned helmet ? Is it in some "reasonable" price ?Quote:
Originally Posted by adam0321
I was also looking for some other than reg. plastic one. Looked in military stores but choices given were expensive and not quite there.
Thx.
If it is layer correctly it will be fine. Freediving fins are made from fiberglass, carbon fiber or even a combo of Kevlar and carbon. I drill holes in them for my foot pockets and they get really scratched. They have 0 problems.
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while I don't want to answer for Adam, as this might not be the helmet he has, but ops core helmets start at over $200. The link below is from an Op Core dealer. They also carry the Pro Tec line which is considerably cheaper.Quote:
Originally Posted by sebaworld
http://tnvc.com/shop/category/helmets/
Even the "cheap" one Pro Tec series looks great and comfy to me. I will get one to try. Just wondering about that cushioned stuff, how thats gonna work in water ... or maybe just get rid of it ?!Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesK
Thanks for link, if anyone has other sources please share. I will hold on with purchase for few days more just in case of better options.
Thanks !
Im using my daughters Dora the Explorer helmet...its combat approved, impact resistant and pretty...
Also, I know a few guys that are using these....
http://www.kaskstore.com/products/Re...MA-WORK-HI-VIZ
I am actually thinking about as well. Depending on the amount of foam, it might end up neutral in water once I add lights and one of my GoPros to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by sebaworld
I've been diving an Ops-Core FAST Carbon fiber helmet for over a year now and I love it. I've got gobs of dives well beyond 100' with it and I have had zero problems with it. The fast arc rails open up a lot of options for light mounting...not that there are any dive specific light mounts available for them...but I am currently working on fabricating several picatinny mounts for both backup and film lights. The NVG mount for the GoPro is awesome. The only thing that took a little getting used to was having the helmet "rest" between my first stages.